ROH 04/14/19 Masters of the Craft Review
Express Live!
Columbus, Ohio
ROH presented Masters of the Craft from Columbus, Ohio. Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana and Nick Aldis were on commentary and welcomed us to the show.
ROH World Television Championship Match
Rhett Titus vs. Jeff Cobb(c)
Cobb overpowered Titus to start the contest, only to have Titus slide out and get a couple of shot in at the onset, but this quickly became Cobb’s match.Cobb hit an impressive stalling suplex from the second rope and followed up with a standing moonsault, but Titus was able to kick out. Rhett continued on the offensive, hitting a flying leg drop and then a jumping facebuster with Cobb perched on the second rope. Titus went for an ill-advised gut wrench powerbomb, only for Cobb to reverse and hit his own before planting Titus with a modified piledriver, but that was not enough. Cobb sealed the deal with a Tour of the Islands. Fun opener here-Titus continues to shine in these opportunities and Cobb looked strong as always here.
Winner: Jeff Cobb
Jenny Rose vs. Holidead
This was a well-worked back and forth contest between two of the most solid wrestlers in the division. During the early moments of the match, The Allure (Velvet Sky, Angelina Love and Mandy Leon) came down to ringside, sporting their cameras for future social media posting, distracting the combatants for a bit. The action continued in the ring, with Holidead looking poised to take this one. She missed from the top rope though, allowing Rose to hit a codebreaker and rock-bottom before picking up the victory. Post-match, Rose walked by the time-keeper’s table where the Allure were sitting, leading to a confrontation. Rose, out-numbered and lacking any spray, was taken down quickly before WOH’s Mean Girls exited right. The contest felt more focused on establishing the presence of the Allure in the division and did just that as a Holidead and Rose had themselves a strong, if short contest.
Winner: Jenny Rose
Part one … #TheAllüre 💋 Hiiiii Ohio…. pic.twitter.com/P4lBuOhO2E
— Mandy León 👻🔮 (@MandyLeonxo) April 15, 2019
Part Two… #TheAllüre💋… Byeeeeeeee pic.twitter.com/1Le9VasswS
— Mandy León 👻🔮 (@MandyLeonxo) April 15, 2019
The Bouncers & Coast 2 Coast vs. The Briscoes, Silas Young & Shane Taylor
Ali and Young started off for their respective squads after Team Crumudgeon refused to adhere to the code of honor, as is their wont to do. A fun display of mat based wrestling and reversals started this one off, with Young getting the one up on Al before making way for Jay. Tempers flared as C2C and the Briscoes squared off before Sinclair was able to clear the ring. LSG valiantly tried to stand toe-to-toe with Taylor but was clearly sent packing, leading to a Bison battle between Taylor and Milonas. This was a really fun affair with everyone getting in on the action here-both the Bouncers and C2C continue to be booked strongly and are being poised as real threats in the tag division. The Bouncers almost won the match for their squad after hitting Last Call but Taylor broke up the pin. After a brief flurry from both LSG and Ali, Taylor was able to score the win for his side after hitting Greetings from 216. With the issues between Life Blood and Team Curmudgeon not over and done with yet the right team won here but both squads will strong nonetheless.
Winners: The Briscoes, Silas Young & Shane Taylor
Rush vs. Soberano Jr.
Caprice Coleman joined for the match here as Colt and Aldis were no longer at the table. This was all Rush again, a running theme in most of his matches thus far. Rush seemingly knocked Soberano Jr out with a kick to the head, sending the smaller man reeling and into the corner. Rush took the time to hit his tranquillo pose, allowing Soberano to marshall his energy and mount a short-lived comeback. Rush regained his composure and sent Soberano to the outside, taking him on a tour of Columbus and the ringside barricades along the way. Back inside Rush pummeled Soberano into the corner and charged at him with the Bull’s Horns before picking up yet another decisive victory. Rush continues to dominate with no one able to slow his ascent to top thus far.
Winner: Rush
Four Corner Survival Match
Caristico vs. Bandido vs. Flip Gordon vs. PJ Black
This was a high-flying affair from the get-go and the very best sequences featured Bandido. Caristico and Bandido wowed the crowd with dueling hurricanranas out of nowhere early on before Gordon and eventually Black interrupted here. Bandido and Gordon then both leaped off the top and landed mid-ring in a bit of a stare off. Bandido went to launch Gordon from the corner, only to have Black break that up. Once Bandido had Gordon ready again Caristico joined him and two combined for a superplex. Black, every the wily veteran, caught Gordon mid-air and managed to pull off a powerbomb/sunsetflip pin that nearly went for three. There was an insane sequence of one Spanish fly, two 450s and an Asai moonsault on two men by Black, but it still was not enough for the vet to pull out the win. Black got creative and went for a Gory special and a reverse crab on Caristico and Bandido but could not hold the move. The action spilled outside, will all four men flying to the arena floor. Bandido, Caristico and Black all brawled into the crowd, on a raised platform. Gordon then launched himself with a senton over the barricade of the platform into the crowd, wiping out the other three. Back inside Caristco powerbombed Bandido on Black and tried to pin both, but it wasn’t enough. In the ensuing chaos Black struggled to rip Gordon from the ropes, allowing Bandido to hit his 21plex on Black to pick up the pinfall victory in an absolutely amazing match. All four men went all the way here and they exchanged the code of honor at the end.
Winner: Bandido
30 Minute Iron Man Tag Team Match
Jay Lethal & Jonathan Gresham vs. Mark Haskins & Tracy Williams
A Blinded Kenny King was led to the commentary table by Amy Rose, explaining that he’s suffering this affliction due to the Great Muta’s poison mist. Riccaboni made a great point, questioning whether or not King would even be able to call this match in his current condition. A slow start here with Haskin and Lethal wrestling to a stalemate before making way for their partners. Riccaboni informed us that ring announcer Nick Lendl would be keeping time during this one, but there was no visible clock on screen or on the tron at the top of the ramp, so for now we need to take the word of commentary on elapsed time. Five minutes passed as Lethal and Williams engaged in a test of strength but no real progress was made here and Gresham and Haskins tried their best to gain an advantage for their sides. Williams was tagged in and worked on Gresham’s wrist. Eventually, Haskins scored the first fall by locking in a Sharpshooter on Gresham and forcing him to tap at just about the 15-minute mark. Things looked a bit dire for Gresham and Lethal as the time dwindled down but the two were able to combine to hit the Cornette Cutter to finally get on the board and tie the match up. Haskins went back to the sharpshooter again but Williams was unable to keep Lethal away, allowing Gresham to wiggle out and cradle Haskins ti take the lead for his team. With about a minute left the action, much like Vin Diesel, was fast and furious, but ultimately all for naught, as Lethal and Gresham outlasted Life Blood to win the match and earn a future title shot.
Winners: Jay Lethal & Jonathan Gresham
NWA Heavyweight Championship Match
Nick Aldis vs. Colt Cabana
Because of a spat between the two on commentary earlier in the night, Aldis put his title on the line against Cabana in this one. This was unannounced and a nice surprise here. A really even contest from these two, with the crowd behind Cabana in this one. Cabana seemed close to pulling off the win after locking in on Cubs win, but Aldis was able to stave off submission and reach the ropes to break the hold. Adlis was able to fight Cabana off and connect with an elbow but only got a two count for his troubles. Cabana was able to hit a springboard moonsault but Marty Scurll snuck down and tried to abscond with the NWA title. Aldis’s insurance policy, Camille interjected and prevented the grand larceny attempt. Adlis went after Scurll, only for Cabana to attack him. Scurll turned and attacked Cabana, ending the match via disqualification.
Winner: Colt Cabana by DQ
ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship Match
The Kingdom vs. Villain Enterprises
This was yet another really fun match between these two squads. Villain and Enterprises works really well together, as does the Kingdom, making this feel like a true battle between two teams in the division. Taven and Scurll had a nice back and forth, trading each other’s finishers to add insult to injury. Marseglia connected with Redrum to the arena floor. Taven and his cronies seemed poised to win as Taven reached for the world title but PCO made the save at the last moment. Marty bashed Taven with his umbrella, softening him up for a PCOsault, picking up the pinfall victory. A good match with an excellent set up for PCO’s title shot in Toronto during the War of the Worlds tour.
Winners: Villain Enterprises
Final Reaction: C+/B-
Another fun show from ROH here, doing well to set up future events down the road. The 4-way had the most action here and insane spots over all, but the iron man tag match also is definitely a must-watch, not only because of the concept, but the action as well. The show was an absolute breeze and recommended viewing ahead of the War of the Worlds tour and the Crockett Cup show this upcoming weekend.